Lightning hits houseWESTMINSTER -- Lightning was blamed...

Police and fire scan

July 19, 1992

WESTMINSTER STORM DAMAGE — Lightning hits house

WESTMINSTER -- Lightning was blamed for starting a two-alarm blaze at a house in the 300 block of Barnes Ave.

The lightning strike caused an electrical surge, which sparked a fire in the attic that spread throughout the upper level and burned through the roof, according to Deputy State Fire Marshall Bob Thomas.

Ann Norvell and her two grandchildren, Sara Dell and Michael Norvell, both 4 years old, who were in the living room at the time of the fire, escaped without injury.

Mrs. Norvell said her grandchildren were watching television when she heard a loud bang and saw smoke coming from the back of the VCR. Within seconds she saw flames coming from the attic.

Mrs. Norvell said she managed to get the children and her 12-year-old cat, Foo-Foo, out of the building while a neighbor, who also saw the flames, called 911.

Damage to the brick rancher was set at about $70,000, Thomas said. The blaze was brought under control in 20 minutes. No one was injured.

Carroll County firefighters were kept busy during and after a quick-moving thunderstorm with strong winds that moved through the county Wednesday afternoon.

Fire department officials said they received 21 calls for wires, trees and utility poles on fire between 4:30 and 11:45 p.m.

John A. Metzger, a BG&E spokesman, said 14,000 Carroll County customers suffered electric service loss. No one was reported injured.

Car overturns on Route 30

A 21-year-old Finksburg woman escaped serious injury Friday when the car she was driving north on Route 30 ran off the road between Hampstead and Manchester, struck a wooden sign post, continued into the woods, started to climb the trunk of a pine tree and overturned.

Stacy Fabrick, of Murray Road, was able to climb out of the Ford Mustang, which came to rest on its roof, before police and medical assistance arrived. She was taken to Carroll County General Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

Mrs. Fabrick told police she was reaching to lower a side window when the accident occurred near North Carroll Middle School. Maryland State Police Cpl. David A. Warner charged her with negligent driving.

Please report crime tips to these hot lines: 857-TIPS (drugs) and 876-8956 (state police). All calls are confidential and you do not have to give your name.

Here is a compilation of some of the crimes reported to local and state police:

WESTMINSTER

East Main Street: Michael Johnson told police that while he was away from his apartment on July 13, someone removed personal property valued at $594.25.

Hillside Court: Two bicycles belonging to Daniel and David McNally were stolen from outside their residence on July 13. The bikes were valued at $385.

Liberty Street: Darryl Helfrich told police that while his automobile was parked July 14, someone used a sharp object to scratch the side. He estimated damage at $300.

North Center Street: Goldine Miller of Bloom Road reported that while her automobile was parked at Cranberry Mall on July 14, someone removed the rear license tag.

140 Village: A 17-year-old Finksburg resident who allegedly carried her infant into a department store, but rolled the child out in a new stroller with clothing valued at $60, was arrested July 14 and charged with theft by shoplifting. The young mother was released in custody of her parents. Her name was not released because she is a juvenile.

Crow Court: An official of Len Stoler Inc. of Baltimore Boulevard reported that a dealer tag was taken on July 15 while the vehicle was parked.

Monroe Street: Jim Magee of St. John's Catholic Church informed police that someone broke a window and gained entry to the building on July 15 but took nothing. He said it would cost about $10.00 to replace the window.

Pennsylvania Avenue: Allard Maggard of Shaeffer Avenue told police on July 16 that someone broke into a garage in the rear of a residence and removed property valued at $650.

Schoolhouse Avenue: Josephine Brunner reported on July 16 that her pet dog was missing from the back porch of her house. She estimated the monetary loss at $50.